Introduction

Etihad and airberlin's partnership

Etihad Airways announced on 19 December 2011 its purchase of a 29 per cent stake in airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline. The deal brings to 239 the total number of destinations we serve, either directly or with partner airlines. If you’re flying into Europe, you’ll be able to seamlessly connect to 45 cities. One network. One ticket. And that’s great news for you!

The announcement means we now offer guests a route network more than 80 destinations larger than that offered by any other Gulf carrier.

The strategic move was announced in Berlin by Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan and then airberlin CEO Hartmut Mehdorn.

Hartmut Mehdorn said: “The strategic partnership with Etihad Airways opens up enormous opportunities for the future of our company. This applies especially to future market development and the realization of synergies.”

Under the partnership

airberlin began operating four A330-200 flights a week between Berlin and Abu Dhabi from January 15, 2012 - with European travellers having immediate access to a total of 29 flights a week to and through Abu Dhabi from four German hubs, with a plan to increase to 42 flights from mid-April;

The airlines are implementing an extensive codeshare agreement, with Etihad Airways codesharing on 36 of airberlin’s 171 destinations and airberlin codesharing on 24 of Etihad Airways’ 82 passenger destinations, and plan further expansion of the pool of codeshare routes;

Etihad Airways will sign codeshare agreements with the airberlin group for all European activities including NIKI, the Austrian airline, and Belair, the Swiss airline; and

Etihad Guest and topbonus, the airlines’ frequent flyer programs, will be integrated, enabling passengers of both airlines to ‘earn and burn’ on each other’s flights and offering reciprocal benefits - including status earning - to top tier members.